CCTV: possible jail sentence as jury watches violent scenes

THUG Stephen King could be jailed after being caught in his own version of a violent video nasty.

King was captured on Reading's CCTV system chasing his victim Matthew Cooney along St Mary's Butts, pushing him to the ground and then stamping on his head twice on Sunday.

The footage, described by prosecutor Anne Conway as very violent, was shown to Reading magistrates before they decided the attack was so bad King should be sentenced at Reading Crown Court.

As the video played, Ms Conway described how Mr Cooney and then King could be seen breaking away from a mêlée near the bus stop in St Mary's Butts.

She said as King, 20, appeared to upend Mr Cooney: "You can see two clear stamps to the head."

Ms Conway had earlier told themagistrates: "There is a video the court needs to see. Police officers observed the complainant in this case being chased by the defendant some considerable distance, [King] is seen pushing him to the ground, positioning himself over him and then deliberately stamps on his face and then a second time.

"He was pushed off by a female and

others. It's a very violent offence and the full impact of the offence can be seen."

James Alden, defending, said the attack had been provoked. Referring to the fight in St Mary's Butts, Mr Alden said King was coming to the rescue of a woman who was being assaulted. "He tried to push some males away from her and while doing that was struck on the head by the complainant," he said.

"What you have seen is an assault in retaliation, which is unacceptable but there was some provocation."

Mr Alden said Mr Cooney was not

seriously injured, suffering grazing, swelling and a headache.

He appealed for magistrates to deal with King themselves but added: "Clearly you have seen the video so you can make your own minds up."

The court would be considering a jail sentence, he admitted.

Magistrates remanded King in custody until he is sentenced at Reading Crown Court.